Saltwater

Custom Skin Mounts

Custom, original skin mounts – trust your trophy of a lifetime with one of our Masters!

Replicas/ Reproductions

We only use the highest quality fiberglass blanks made in the USA or Canada. A quality replica starts out with a quality blank.

Restorations & Repaints

We do a lot of restorations, repairs, and repaints. It’s our “specialty within our specialty.”

Custom Habitats

Adding even a little extra habitat – weeds, rocks, lily pads, baitfish, etc. can add a lot of interest to a basic mount.

Freshwater, Saltwater & Exotics

Original Skin Mounts & Reproductions

Restorations, Repairs and Repaints

Custom Habitats and Custom Molding

No job too big or too small for Fish Specialties

We also offer taxidermy training

Replicas/Reproductions

We only use the highest quality “blanks” (unfinished replicas) available made in the U.S.A. or Canada from EPA approved materials. A quality replica starts with a quality “canvas”. From the incredible mouth and scale details to the artistically presented, natural positions. We know which distributors have the best blanks in the industry and which distributors to avoid. There is a difference! The distributors have perfected their molding techniques and by using only high quality blanks it actually saves us time (and gives you the best possible product!) Time better spent utilizing our talents custom painting your replica! Once one of our talented taxidermists/artists receives your blank, they custom paint your trophy from your photos/specifications to capture the unique colors your fish displayed when caught!

*What we need? The two most important things are a good photo and a length measurement. Then, if you can get a quick girth measurement or weight that would be helpful too!

Original Skin Mounts

Traditional skin mount taxidermy is a very involved process that takes plenty of time, skill, artistic talent and attention to details to become one of our Fish Artists. There are no second chances when entrusting your trophy of a lifetime with just anybody. ALL of our Fish Specialties skin mount Artists are professionally trained in the proper preservation techniques for lasting quality of your trophy skin mount. And you can TRUST that they have the artistic talent to bring your fish and your special memories back to life!

Restorations, Repairs & Repaints

We do a lot of restorations, repairs, and repaints at Fish Specialties Taxidermy and we would consider it our “specialty within our specialty”. Not many taxidermists will take on restoration work because of the difficulties involved. You never know for certain what materials and techniques the previous taxidermist used and compatibility issues with today’s materials are always a concern. It takes years of doing restorations to understand how to approach each and every restoration job. We’ve restored everything from 60+ year old mounts to mounts that were recently (and poorly) done by other taxidermists. All of our customers are amazed when they pick up their restored mounts because not only do they get to re-live their memories all over again, but their repaired/restored/repainted mount looks better than ever! More often than not, damaged mounts are much easier to repair than most people think. Oftentimes, minor repairs such as fixing broken or cracked fins and/or “tweaking” the original paint job along with a good cleaning and re-glossing can do wonders for an old mount for a relatively small fee. Feel free to call or email photos to one of our artists of your damaged mount for a free estimate.

Custom Habitats & Displays

Simply adding a little extra habitat – weeds, rocks, lily-pads, baitfish, etc. can really add a lot of interest to a mount for a minimal price. But, we also have the artistic talent, experience and capabilities to create much more elaborate custom habitats and displays. Displays that compliment your trophy(s) for those looking for that “WOW” factor! We can help our clients see that fish taxidermy and custom habitats/displays can truly be an Art form and can compliment any décor if done properly. We work with our customers and tailor each project to meet each clients specific wants, needs and budget. We can take whatever ideas you have and turn your concepts into reality!

Doug’s an Artist. He’s the best I’ve seen in the Midwest, maybe even the country.

The Best I’ve Seen in the Midwest- Hall of fame fisherman, Spence Petros

Marty with Fish Specialties did an awesome job with my Barracuda. The detail he put into it, is outstanding. I was a little nervous living in Illinois and having a saltwater mount done. I shouldn’t have been. His prices are reasonable and he is always quick to answer questions and help out… I will bring all my future fish to Marty. Thanks Marty! I WILL see you again.

I will bring all my future fish to Marty- A.J,

Bridgford Foods is now sponsoring Professional Angler Randy Blaukat on the Walmart/FLW Bass Tour. People are blown away by the displays you created. Even professional anglers have never seen such fine work. I could not be happier. The entire display looks phenomenal. It is truly a work of Art. Thanks Marty.

Even professional anglers have never seen such fine work.- Al Bridgford

Marty, I’m more than pleased with the artistry of your work. The match of the colors of this fish are TRUE to the habitat from which it came. The mount was placed beside two smallmouth replicas and yours by far was dead on. Mine was the smallest of the three, but stood out because of your perfection to detail and realism.

Perfection to detail and realism- Professional Fisherman Ed Bohn

I just received my Barracuda replica and you have far exceeded my expectations. This thing looks great! I just wanted to say a job well done and thank you very much. What made me settle on you was your credentials (and I looked a lot!). You appeared to have the artistic background and the tutelage from a taxidermist that had a great resume.

You have far exceeded my expectations- Terry

Marty has created a Musky and a Northern Pike replica for me and both are spectacular! His work goes beyond the professional level to the artistic. I wouldn’t go anywhere else to capture the memory of catching a prized fish.

I wouldn’t go anywhere else- Peter

Thanks again and just want to reiterate how happy I am with the excellent work you did on this fish for me. Take care, Rachit

Excellent work!- Rachit

I have fished all my life and have been trying to have my most exciting catches mounted over the years. Marty has done a number of my catches – 9 mounts so far, and all of them came out fantastic! His accuracy in mounting these fish was excellent. He has a real sense of how best to display each fish. I obviously have NOT been disappointed with his work!

I have fished all my life and have been trying to have my most exciting catches mounted over the years. Marty has done a number of my catches – 9 mounts so far, and all of them came out fantastic! His accuracy in mounting these fish was excellent. He has a real sense of how best to display each fish. I obviously have NOT been disappointed with his work!

Real sense of how best to display each fish- Robert

Marty with Fish Specialties did an awesome job with my Barracuda. The detail he put into it, is outstanding. I was a little nervous living in Illinois and having a saltwater mount done. I shouldn’t have been. His prices are reasonable and he is always quick to answer questions and help out… I will bring all my future fish to Marty. Thanks Marty! I WILL see you again.

I will bring all my future fish to Marty- A.J,

Doug’s an Artist. He’s the best I’ve seen in the Midwest, maybe even the country.

The Best I’ve Seen in the Midwest- Hall of fame fisherman, Spence Petros

I just received my Barracuda replica and you have far exceeded my expectations. This thing looks great! I just wanted to say a job well done and thank you very much. What made me settle on you was your credentials (and I looked a lot!). You appeared to have the artistic background and the tutelage from a taxidermist that had a great resume.

You have far exceeded my expectations- Terry

Marty has created a Musky and a Northern Pike replica for me and both are spectacular! His work goes beyond the professional level to the artistic. I wouldn’t go anywhere else to capture the memory of catching a prized fish.

I wouldn’t go anywhere else- Peter

Bridgford Foods is now sponsoring Professional Angler Randy Blaukat on the Walmart/FLW Bass Tour. People are blown away by the displays you created. Even professional anglers have never seen such fine work. I could not be happier. The entire display looks phenomenal. It is truly a work of Art. Thanks Marty.

Even professional anglers have never seen such fine work.- Al Bridgford

Marty, I’m more than pleased with the artistry of your work. The match of the colors of this fish are TRUE to the habitat from which it came. The mount was placed beside two smallmouth replicas and yours by far was dead on. Mine was the smallest of the three, but stood out because of your perfection to detail and realism.

Perfection to detail and realism- Professional Fisherman Ed Bohn

Thanks again and just want to reiterate how happy I am with the excellent work you did on this fish for me. Take care, Rachit